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Education

‘Pretend War’: Leftist Teacher Slams 4th of July Fireworks

Jul. 3, 2012 9:30pm Mytheos Holt

As if there wasn’t already enough evidence that the Left has trouble with the idea of celebrating America’s independence, this story from EagNews’ Kyle Olson comes down the pike:

Bill Bigelow of the radical teacher organization Rethinking Schools, wrote that we need to “rethink” the 4^th of July. This “progressive” teacher has declared war on fireworks.

Bill Bigelow

The Fourth of July “…provides cover for people to blow off fireworks that terrify young children and animals, and that turn the air thick with smoke and errant projectiles. Last year, the fire department here [Portland, OR] reported 172 fires sparked by toy missiles, defective firecrackers, and other items of explosive revelry.”

A terrifying, harrowing spectacle of devastation

So Bigelow is concerned about public safety. Fair enough. But there’s more:

“Apart from the noise pollution, air pollution, and flying debris pollution, there is something profoundly inappropriate about blowing off fireworks at a time when the United States is waging war with real fireworks around the world. To cite just one example, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism in London found recently that U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan alone have killed more than 200 people, including at least 60 children. And, of course, the U.S. war in Afghanistan drags on and on. The pretend war of celebratory fireworks thus becomes part of a propaganda campaign that inures us—especially the children among us—to the real wars half a world away.”

If you squint closely enough, you can see a Mushroom cloud

Yes, to this ingenious teacher, fireworks promote war. In fact, he says fireworks are “pretend war!”

Yes, that’s right, according to a progressive teacher, fireworks scare children, damage property and simulate war. There are so many things wrong with this idea we’re not even sure where to start. First of all, we’re not sure what children Mr. Bigelow is used to dealing with, but something tells us that the idea of fireworks being terrifying to your average child is a bit far-fetched.

Leftist Teacher Bill Bigelow: Fireworks Are Dangerous Pretend War

"Maybe if I keep smiling at it and twirling it, it won't hurt me."

Moreover, sympathetic though we are to Mr. Bigelow’s concerns over public safety, we do have to wonder where he gets off complaining about disorderly behavior that destroys property and simulates warfare, given the sorts of editorials his organization posts on their website. From an article entitled “Occupy Education”:

In the education arena, teachers, parents, students, community members, and activists are finding imaginative ways to resist and to create alternatives. Here, occupation has taken many forms. Indeed, the education occupations preceded Occupy Wall Street. In the fall of 2009, California saw dozens of student occupations, sit-ins, and demonstrations to protest draconian budget cuts. Over the winter of 2011, students, teachers, public workers, and just about everyone else participated in the weeks-long occupation of the Wisconsin state capitol in Madison, protesting Gov. Scott Walker’s reactionary legislation. In Tucson last April, students defending the embattled Mexican American Studies program occupied a school board meeting, chaining themselves to board members’ chairs, chanting: “Our education is under attack! What do we do? Fight back!”

The Occupy movement itself spurred new momentum. In Trenton, N.J., demonstrators briefly occupied the state Department of Education, protesting Gov. Chris Christie’s pro-charter school initiatives. In New York City, members of Occupy DOE (NYC Department of Education) have offered a spirited challenge to Mayor Bloomberg’s undemocratic, handpicked Panel for Educational Policy (PEP). At one meeting, Occupy DOE mocked the PEP functionaries, yelling “puppet!” after each was introduced. As reported in Rethinking Schools, Social Equality Educators in Seattle led an occupation of the state capitol to protest school budget cuts and to stage a citizens’ arrest of legislators for abandoning the state constitution, which proclaims the support of public education as the state’s “paramount duty.” Teachers’ actions inspired hundreds of students at Seattle’s Garfield High School, who walked out of classes and rallied at City Hall in solidarity. Blogs like Occupy Education created a forum for “messages that dare public schools to serve students’ passions instead of politicians and vendors’ coffers,” and feature poignant student artwork displaying different “occupy” interpretations.

One of the most militant of the occupations occurred in Chicago, where more than 100 parents, youth, and community members staged a four-day sit-in at City Hall to protest Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s “practice of maligning black and Latino neighborhoods by destabilizing their public schools and selling them off to the highest bidder.” Organized by the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (KOCO), and supported by the Chicago Teachers Union, UNITE HERE, and other community groups, demonstrators demanded that the mayor meet with the community to discuss its well-researched alternative to the Chicago elite’s profit-driven school improvement plans.

We can’t speak for people who fire off sparklers, but we’re fairly sure they’re less interested in destroying property and simulating war than people who try to violently shut down public facilities while announcing their intention to “fight back” against policies they don’t like.

And finally, while the authors here at the Blaze are not accredited teachers, we do have eyes, and as such, would like to get one particular bit of confusion cleared up. Mr. Bigelow thinks fireworks make people desensitized to the horrors and sounds of warfare by showing them explosions in the night sky accompanied by loud noises. Very well. We would love to hear his explanation for why any American cannot distinguish between this:

Leftist Teacher Bill Bigelow: Fireworks Are Dangerous Pretend War And this:

Aside from the fact that both look awesome in pictures, we know which one we’d be more likely to run from. Does Mr. Bigelow?

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Comments (165)

Meyvn
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:23pm
Mr. Bigelow. You are sooooo deep. I would have never put it together without your insight.

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- Ragnars Repos
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:53pm
  Our grandparents feared and loathed commies for good reason.
  
  Apparently, Americans have forgotten what communists do when they rise to power.
  
  Communists hate the U.S. We have a communist President. He is working to destroy this country.
  
  Americans are thick-headed…fat, dumb, and happy…primed for the takeover and slaughter.
  
  Won’t they be shocked in a few years when, instead of demanding “What is my government going to do for me?!”, they are asking, “What is my government going to do TO me?”
  
  Shackles suck. Better get to saving yourselves from your power-mongering politicians, Americans. Before it’s too late.
  
  Once freedom is gone it will take much bloodshed to get it back.
  
  Report this comment
- brother_ed
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 11:02pm
  @RAGNARS REPOS
  
  Right on!
  
  Happy Independence Day!
  
  Report this comment
- SnowKalBebes
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 11:42pm
  Ask a veteran with PTSD how they like fireworks…
  
  Report this comment
- Cosmos102
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:33am
  This guy must live in Depot Bay, Oregon.
  
  Report this comment
- MIBUGNU2
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:01am
  Ironic, Mr. Bigelow lives next to the biggest FIRECRACKER
  on the West Coast.. Mount Rainier, 13,000 ft of High Explosives.
  Ya gotta’ LUV these deep thinkers, No common sense……
  
  Report this comment
- KoolAidDrinker
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:00am
  Uuuuuugggggggghhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  Aaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- king1
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:11am
  yes his head is deep up his A*S
  
  Report this comment
- PATTY HENRY
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 4:09am
  Tell this dopey TEACHER that Thomas Jefferson himself encouraged AMERICANS to Celebrate with games, music and celebration fires and gatherings of families –also worshiping GOD in thanksgiving for this glorious time (paraphrased) But he called for FIREWORKS.
  
  Where do these Commie Teachers with bad teeth keep coming from??? OUR JOB ONE, people, is to get that dope out of the WH and then to focus on our LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS; GOVTS.
  THANK YOU GOD for the GIFT of the US of A!!! PS did you know that our Declaration of Independence is not allowed to be read in Congress now !??? I don’t know about you, but I want the 10 Commandments on display in all of our Gov. Buildings; our Declaration of Independence too!!
  
  Report this comment
- Thatsitivehadenough
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 4:28am
  The only good communist, is a dead communist. Bigelow.
  
  Report this comment
- AmazingGrace8
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 8:24am
  @regnars
  
  Agree 100%
  Dr. Ben Carson was on Fox News this morning and he said it well.
  Happy Independence Day America!
  
  Report this comment
- starman70
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 8:53am
  I bet that this JACKWAGON is a union member. Please move to CHINA. Your views will be more welcome there.
  
  Report this comment
- dmerwin
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:56pm
  It’s about celebrating our traditions. This guy is a moron OR he doesn’t value our traditions. My guess is the latter. I don’t agree with the too frequent combination of excessive alcohol consumption combined with real fireworks. But like guns or driving or lawnmowing or bicycle riding or chopping the celery for the potato salad when done by an unimpaired reasonable person there is no problem. For those people who cause property damage charge them, oh wait, there are already laws for that.
  
  Report this comment
- Secret Squirrel
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:40pm
  .
  Commies never quit whining.
  Fireworks are fun.
  Grow a set, deal with it.
  
  Report this comment
- BeeDee
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:09pm
  But someone, somewhere might, in some way get hurt, scared, or offended. Therefore we should never do anything that might, in any way, be construed as dangerous or offensive. Protect us all from well-meaning idiots! How about some personal responsibility?
  
  Report this comment
paperpushermj
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:18pm
This Guy’s a Real Buzzkill

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RLTW
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:14pm
Pretend war is far better than real war, but even war requires rehearsals.

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- lukerw
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 11:32pm
  The practice was the American Revolution… where two kinds of Warfare were fought… in the North, Regulars & Militias confronted British Formations… and in the South, Neighbors secretly organized hit and run strikes against Tory-neighbors & British Troops.
  
  Report this comment
aChameleon
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:13pm
Change for the sake of change is the liberal battle cry. They don’t necessarily want things to change for the better, just change. They claim Republicans are resistant to change. That’s not true. I think we’re for any change for the better. Killing fireworks and the July 4th holiday isn’t my idea of a change for the better.

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- glashole
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:21pm
  Yup, and the commie should be upset with his commie friends that make the fireworks. Typical hipocrate teacher who want everyone to live by his rules.
  
  Report this comment
- quarando
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 8:29am
  Really? I know many liberals and I’ve never heard one support “change for the sake of change”. I think your problem is that you get your information on what liberals think for conservatives.
  
  Report this comment
- BeeDee
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:13pm
  Hope and change were the battle cry. But change was not defined. It was change for the sake of change, just as diversity is for the sake of diversity, not to strengthen our country but to weaken it.
  
  Report this comment
beckwill
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:11pm
Anyone setting off fireworks should release at least one for Bill Bigelow. We’ll yell “Bill” at the point of explosion symbolically thanking him for making them that much more enjoyable.
His stupidity = our amusement.

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BryanB
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:05pm
I like the 4th of July Fireworks.

Why do mean people always have to mess with stuff ????

Pray for Jett………..

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- progressiveslayer
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:28pm
  Because libs/nut cases are always miserable and they like to spread the misery.
  
  Report this comment
- BryanB
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 11:15pm
  @progressiveslayer
  
  I know it’s all about just wanting to control people.
  
  It reminds me of what my Great Grandmother use to say when she would see people do or talk stuff like this,
  
  “You just want reach out and snatch them bald headed.”
  
  Report this comment
mapgirl10
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:01pm
Maybe said teacher should read John Adams letter to Abigail about his thoughts on our celebration of God’s blessing on America! He wanted it to be very festive and part of our celebration with God.

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- sfrich
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 11:44pm
  Or you could read Abigail’s letters to John where she asks him to fight at the Constitutional Convention for women’s right to vote and he ignores her.
  
  Report this comment
wisehiney
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:00pm
I have a monster rocket on which I have written Jesse Helms. Now there was a hero. Passed on Independence Day 2008. It will not be as much fun as blowing up terrorists, but it will be mighty purty.

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Individualism
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:56pm
they know how to do fireworks in the middle east.

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- The-Monk
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:31am
  And this pleases you because you are a troll? How are those college classes going? Learn how to spell yet? I guess college teaches you more important things like how protest with the OWS gang?
  
  Doesn’t your college have a course in grammar? You should consider taking it. Oh, I’m sorry, you teach that class, right?
  
  Report this comment
- Steelheadisadouche
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 8:52am
  WindyDualism
  Blah, blah blah ah blah blah. Blather blah, blah blah.
  
  Report this comment
dealer@678
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:55pm
This guy would’nt last a day here in Texas. Somthin about yella teeth

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- Meyvn
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:26pm
  Coffee & Smokes are my excuse.
  
  Report this comment
Gypsy123
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:55pm
We have truly been invaded by golums who pretend to be human and he is a example

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:59pm
  If his brain were to shrink any more, his ears would slap together with a thunderous clap.
  
  Report this comment
nightingayle
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:52pm
This guy is an idiot…Children LOVE fireworks.. Want to bet that if Obama is in another 4 years that he will take our holidays and change our country’s songs.
He is probably one of those terrible teachers that teach socialism to our children.

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- showlocindy
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:10pm
  Probably?? You know it!!
  
  Report this comment
Ron_WA
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:50pm
Mr. Professor, let me escort you into the combat zone so I can show you the difference btwn real fire-works & our celebratory entertainment fireworks.

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- RLTW
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:07pm
  We can figure he’d be good with dependence day and firing squads, if dear leader gets ——– nov 7th will be dependence day, then of course all us individual liberty types are screwed.
  
  RLTW
  
  Report this comment
- Nehemiah6.3
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:16pm
  John Adams felt to celebrate with all enthusiasm and excitement that we had declared Independence. Even before we had even gone to war against Britain. He knew of the impending war to come and yet felt that way because of the freedom they had chosen.Today, there are many like this professor who have no idea what the loss of freedom would really feel or be like. They all make a fuss about conservative values and celebrate bigger government. They have the luxury of speaking against freedom now while they still have freedom, but when freedom is gone, they will not speak out again because the government will have rounded them up first, and disposed of them.
  God gave us our agency to choose. He wants us to choose freedom. But this entails choosing to be self restrained, not restrained by government. This professor is a man who cannot control himself, so he wants to control others.
  Our country is in the condition it is because there are too many of its citizens who cannot control themselves, and they vote in people who cannot control themselves either.
  This is the root of the problem.
  
  Report this comment
dealer@678
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:49pm
Don’t liberal people in Oregon brush their teeth

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- snapperman
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:56pm
  My thought too: this guy should be seeing a dentist rather than wringing his hands about fireworks.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:57pm
  Probably smokes too much….dope!
  
  Report this comment
- CatB
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:58pm
  Apparently not .. oh and btw .. I would like to PLACE SOME FIREWORKS .. where the sun don’t shine on this dude and LIGHT THEM UP!
  
  Report this comment
- chips1
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:07pm
  Sort of like a light at the end of his tunnel?
  
  Report this comment
- KickinBack
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:12pm
  @catb
  
  I’d be thinking this dude lives in a cave, so there should be a lot of places to stick the fireworks!
  
  Report this comment
- toiletclogga
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 8:29am
  Every 4th day when they flush their commodes!
  
  Report this comment
toto
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:47pm
Because I am a conservative and would never really do intentional harm to another without good reason, I can only imagine what would be appropriate for this man, like a sparkler where the sun don’t shine.

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- CatB
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:59pm
  LOL .. read what I just posted above on DEALERS post. I am not as nice as you!
  
  Report this comment
RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:46pm
Think that he will blame the Chinese for introducing the world to these celebratory devices? I doubt it, more like Bush, or even George Washington. What an ENCINOM!

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michael7695
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:44pm
BIg surprise…a progressive not liking something American. At least he has the ability, for now, to voice his opinion.

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- Cemoto78
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:54pm
  If his hero gets another four years he will find out how tyranny works as and equal opportunity oppressor. Guys like this have no concept of how great it is to have freedom. Wonder if he has ever read or studied 1930′s Germany and how fast that changed.
  
  Report this comment
Cavallo
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:42pm
I won’t be celebrating because I will be in mourning for the loss of my freedom. It would be naive and hypocritical to celebrate the signing of the declaration when it what is means is now a lost pipe dream. I will not wave another American flag, nor place my hand over my heart, nor stand for the national anthem ever again until my freedoms from government are restored.

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- TEXASGRANNY73
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:06pm
  I will always wave my American flag, place my hand over my heart and always stand for the pledge under God and our national anthem. I will fight to the death to defend the Constitution as much as I can. I always remember the Alamo and the Americans from many states who fought to the last man. Maybe it is because I am a Texan….just sayin.
  
  Report this comment
- DADDYWOREAWHITEHAT
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:35pm
  @granny
  In south Texas we fly “come & take it”
  It fits to this also
  
  Report this comment
michael7695
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:42pm
Big surprise…a progressive not liking something American in nature. The cool thing about the USA, at least for now…is that he has the freedom to and can speak his mind and give his opinion.

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MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:40pm
Moron fireworks have been around for centuries.

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Gregb
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:40pm
Love the sparkler up the **** comment.
America is listening to way too many idiots. common sense has been thrown out the window.
stupid is as stupid does…and the left is demonstrating what stupid does.

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- Meyvn
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:29pm
  It’s a concerted movement among globalists to break down Nationalism however they can. It’s that simple.
  
  Report this comment
- Meyvn
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:34pm
  The sparkler in the ass seems to be a popular reaction. Ya think he needs police protection? At least a fire extinguisher perhaps.
  
  Report this comment
Inlightofthings
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:40pm
The guy has the right to make a living “Rethinking” schools in the public sector. Get off the public dole and see how much you can earn thinking up your garbage.

Go Charters….

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purplehippo
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:38pm
I think statistics now prove that there are more morons in America than sane people.

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therealconservative
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:35pm
Sounds like a Ron Paul “FOLLOWER”

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- Meyvn
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:31pm
  Sounds more like a progressive globalist. I bet he thinks he’s a purdy fart smeller too.
  
  Report this comment
- therealconservative
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:45pm
  Nope, pure Ron Paul Pacifist.
  
  Report this comment
- Re-Founding Sons
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 10:41am
  Screw you buddy. Ron Paul and his supporters love this country. And are a lot more patriotic than you. You don’t know anything about people who support Ron Paul.
  
  Report this comment
- Re-Founding Sons
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 10:47am
  Please don’t be ignorant. I know many people who support Ron and they are more conservative than you my friend. It’s annoying how people like you want to stereotype people who support Ron Paul as OWS or anything progressive/ liberal.
  This Bill fellow is an obvious commie Obama progressive .
  Leave ron paul and the good people who support him out of it.
  
  Report this comment
randy
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:33pm
Someone needs to shove a sparkler up this guys ****

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- CatB
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:01pm
  I would prefer a bottle rocket .. at the least!
  
  Report this comment
- Lotus503
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:13pm
  Better an M-80…
  
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- Meyvn
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:24pm
  don’t forget to light it.
  
  Report this comment
- king1
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:12am
  it wouldnt fit his head is in the way
  
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- Steelheadisadouche
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:07pm
  Daisy chained roman candles at the very least.
  
  Report this comment
- fullertonmark
  Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:35pm
  I am thinking more along the lines of tar and feathers for this POS
  
  Report this comment

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